Response to the Smart Start initiative has been overwhelmingly positive. Many districts have begun significant efforts to focus staff development activities on the stated goal of having all children at or above grade level in reading and mathematics. Although Smart Start is focused on kindergarten through fourth grade, some of these same districts have expressed an interest in applying many of the ideas unveiled during the Smart Start Professional Development Summit to grades five through twelve.
The Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) applauds these efforts and we pledge our support to assist any school or district to help achieve high standards for all students, regardless of grade level. Questions have arisen, however, as to the Department's role in the formation of an Algebra/Geometry Instructional Management System, proposed by a consortium of school districts and the National School Conference Institute (NSCI).
This consortium is a voluntary effort initiated by a group of schools desiring assistance in preparing their students for the state-mandated end of level examinations, which will be administered for the first time during the 1999-2000 school year. It is not a part of the Smart Start initiative and is not a part of our contract with NSCI. The Department's contract with NSCI is limited to those staff development activities focused on kindergarten through grade four in reading and mathematics. Any claims made about the potential of student performance on the end of level examinations are not claims made by the ADE.